Our American election of Barack Obama has presented a profound moment of world unity. We have all seen the celebratory images on the Internet and television, which spread across the globe like an explosive wildfire. This worldwide Obama jamboree has burned up the airwaves and cable lines. We Americans have been humbled by our own emotion -- the immensity of our joy and relief -- and we have been moved by the passion of our old and new friends, wherever they may live. No matter the continent on which they are rooted to their bits of earth and love their children and dream their dreams. We have felt the connection.
Before this movement for change that Barack Obama built, who among us thought this solidarity -- this harmony -- was possible after the last eight devastating years? This particular euphoria we feel may not last forever, but let us wallow in it now as the Obama transition moves forward.
I've read many accounts of the new pride Americans now feel. I am among them. After the thrilling moment when we were told Obama had won, I said to my group of friends: I have an announcement. I am really proud of my country. I am proud to be an American again. I've read and heard this same sentiment echoed time and time again from other Americans no matter where they live. The Bush years nearly did us in -- at home and abroad -- but could we have elected Obama without them? In some perverse way, should we thank W. for his absolute incompetence? Dick Cheney for his evilness?
Before you reactionaries start screaming that you've always been proud of your country, let me say this: I have always loved my country. I have loved and had the utmost respect for our soldiers who have lived and died for our country. I've always loved my state, the earth where I was born and I was formed. I love my people, and I am connected to them.
But pride is something else. I have not been proud of what the Bush White House has shoved down our throats for the last eight years. I have been embarrassed for us. This administration has destroyed and humiliated the electorate he was supposed to uphold and protect -- and wreaked havoc on the world surrounding us. But enough of that. We are moving on.
But I have one last thing to say to my fellow Americans who rant and rave about their fellow countrymen who live abroad -- and I don't care where they reside: We have moved abroad for many different reasons -- including those of us who are in the military. Those of us who have moved for jobs. Those of us who are retired -- or have friends and family whom we want to be closer to. Those of us who want to help others who are less fortunate or those who desire a less materialistic or expensive life. It is cheaper to live in some other nations, and our dollars will go further. Some of us have a different view of life and the world and see ourselves in exotic pictures. That is our right, too. The reasons Americans live abroad are many and varied, but no matter what, we are fulfilling our destinies. We pay our taxes to the IRS. And we are still Americans.
We Americans have the freedom to decide for ourselves what we as individuals want to do. We are fortunate enough to have the freedom to travel, experience other cultures, and broaden our horizons. Why did our Founding Fathers like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin live in France? To strengthen the ties between our two countries. To gain support for the New World, which we certainly were then -- and still are in many ways. By the way, they both loved their time in Paris. Of course, there were many others who lived in England and France (and other countries).
The fact that some of us Americans don't live within our country's borders doesn't make us less American. We may even feel more American than you, because we are isolated from our countrymen. We may miss the familiar even if we enjoy our fresh environment.
There are various reports of how many Americans live abroad, but this is from Transitions Abroad:
According to recent estimates by the U.S. State Department, there are 6.6 million Americans living overseas, a little more than the entire population of the state of Massachusetts.So stop your rants and raves. We come in force. In this time of unifying America, accept your cousins who don't live at home. Stop feeling threatened. What is the point?
Beth Arnold lives and writes in Paris. She is tired of getting criticized by some people for living in France and being a turncoat American. For God's sakes, she's from Arkansas and still sounds Southern. How much more American can you get? To check out more of her work, go to www.betharnold.com.
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Self-righteousness is not the same as pride nor is nationalism the same as patriotism. Criticism of our government's actions is not hatred either no matter where one lives. Unfortunately discerning the difference escapes some Americans.
The amazing aspect of the election of Barack Hussein Obama 44th president of the United States of America is not that *Americans* feel proud of their country - it's that everyone else feels proud of the US of A for pulling this trick.
In one fell swoop, the US passed the EU on the left side on the road and now has them in their rear mirror.
You, Madam and fellow Americans, earned my deep-felt congratulations.
I left the U.S. during "Shock and Awe" and moved to Costa Rica, a country with no army, until my fellow American expats followed me and destroyed the society and environment. I'm now back in the Good ole U.S.A.
I've lived in Europe, the Middle East, Central America, and I've never NOT been proud to be an American. When people would ask me where I'm from, I would tell them, Soy Puro Gringo! Many times I've NOT been proud of my government, but I think that both Americans and foreigners can understand the difference, and when they can't - #$% em.
You don't mention Anti-American Americans who live overseas who try to fool themselves into believing they are locals. Moi American? Non, Non! Je suis Parisien. Self-hating Americans are so obnoxious.
Bon chance avec Sarkozy Y'all.
Having lived here for a little over eleven years,I have yet to find a reason NOT to live here.
Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I stuck around. :-)
I do not know of a single instance of the 'expats' that you mention or anyone else here in Costa Rica, the Land of My Dreams, destroying either the society or the environment here.
Speaking of the term, 'expats', that term is actually a shortened version of the word expatriate, used in referring to someone who is expatriated and is not a shortened version of the word ex-patriot.
Allen McDonald, El Galloviejo®
Tico Tejano
and I've been here for seven years, and last week was the first time an Australian said to me: "yank, go home."
People hate what American folly has done to the world.
Yes, I'm proud to be an American, but what's that mean anymore? Can you tell me one thing America has done in the last 10 years to make this a better, safer, healthier world in which to live?
Great essay - thank you!
This seems like a condition perceived and felt but not documented, at least from your lack of any kind of evidence, citation, or illustration to your point.
I echo your sentiments about loving America and being proud of America again.
Would like to hear your thoughts about a couple of questions:
1. Since you, as a citizen living abroad and paying taxes, feel that is OK for corporations to move their 'Headquarters' to an offshore PO Box for the sole purpose of avoiding taxes?
2. As an American living in Paris, do you have to comply with the laws in France? If so, is it fair for non-Americans to live here illegally?
It certainly seems to me that certain US Corporations and illegal residents get extra special treatment in our Country that we both love. - Maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
We expats here (all of whom voted by absentee ballot) celebrated with great joy and fanfare the election of Barack Obama. So did most (well, all) of my Mexican friends. No matter where you live, you never leave behind the place and people you were born to.
Life is good.
This was in the build up to the Iraq invasion...
"Leave it" sometimes makes good sense....
...and we all know what will happen next: economic ruin. Deflation, which will wipe out people's most of people's remaining money... followed by inflation, which whill destroy the rest.
Americans are so used to thinking of themselves as God's chosen people, gifted, by divine right, to a life of prosperity, that they don't think it could ever be any other way.
Only 7% of Americans have passports. Americans simply don't know how the world sees them.
Philip, Buenos Aires